Browse Tools Top 100
264 MKV
File conversion

Convert 264 to MKV

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jun 18, 2026
QUICK ANSWER
Is it possible to convert 264 to MKV?
Yes - 264 converts to MKV.

FFmpeg remuxes the stream to MKV in seconds with no quality loss; MKVToolNix provides a GUI alternative for the same lossless operation. Neither tool adds audio because .264 files carry video only.

3 programs
Also to MKV: USM · TP · MPEG4

On this page

Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

More free converters

HEIC, PNG, WEBP, MP3 and more - every tool here is free.

Open the toolbox

Why convert 264 to MKV?

MKV is the most forgiving container for raw H.264 streams and a practical fallback when .mp4 remuxing fails due to unusual stream structures. It plays natively in VLC and most modern media players, and supports subtitles and multiple audio tracks if needed later.

How to convert 264 to MKV

FFmpeg FREE

Run ffmpeg -i input.264 -c copy output.mkv to remux without re-encoding. If playback speed is wrong, add -framerate 25 (or your camera's actual fps) before -i.

MKVToolNix FREE

In MKVToolNix GUI, add the .264 file as a source, set the output path to .mkv, and click Start multiplexing; set the frame rate in track properties if playback speed is incorrect.

Programs that convert 264

Miro Video Converter
Freemake Video Converter
4Media Video Converter for Mac

About these formats

.264 Raw H.264 / AVC Video Elementary Stream (DVR/CCTV export)

A .264 file is a raw H.264 (AVC) video stream, most commonly exported by a CCTV camera, DVR, or NVR. It contains video only - no audio, no container, no timing data - which is why most…

Open .264 details →
.MKV Matroska Video

An MKV file is a Matroska multimedia container that holds video, multiple audio tracks, subtitles and chapters in one file. Open it for free with VLC media player, or on Windows 11 with the…

Open .MKV details →

Quality & what to watch

  • No re-encoding occurs - both tools copy the H.264 bitstream unchanged into the MKV wrapper.
  • The output has no audio; a raw .264 stream carries video only.
  • MKV is a reliable fallback when ffmpeg -c copy out.mp4 gives a muxing error, because MKV has fewer structural constraints than MP4.

Frequently asked questions

Why use MKV instead of MP4?
MKV is more tolerant of unusual stream structures; if MP4 remuxing fails with an error, MKV almost always accepts the same stream without problems.
Is there any quality difference between MKV and MP4 outputs?
No - both are lossless remuxes; the H.264 video data is identical in both containers.
What if the MKV plays at the wrong speed?
The raw stream has no embedded timing - specify the camera's actual frame rate with -framerate in FFmpeg or via track properties in MKVToolNix.